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About me.

Startup founder. I hold a B.S in Computer Science and have extensive experience and interest in technology, e-commerce, cryptocurrencies and online advertising industry (ad-tech). I worked with leading companies like Softbit, MediaFem, OLX Group, and Telecom. I am living in London, UK.

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Passionate startups: Get inspiration from these amazing entrepreneurs

At the 50th Startups Spritzer they were presented under confetti rain and thunderous applause of the Grazer Gründerszene. Now let’s tell you more about the five creative minds who replace the old board of Denise Vorraber, Karl Maria Gerngroß and Michael Semler. In Wordrap, the five talk about themselves, the love of the club and the passion of startup.

President – Julia Leitinger

Why are you with the club?

I joined the association to expand my professional network, but also to broaden my personal horizons. I have been enthusiastic about the startup scene in Graz for a long time, since I myself am a founder, and I am now in the position to actively shape her as president with the new board.

What is your professional background?

I studied graphic and communication design and founded my own agency BrandON Grafikdesign in 2016 after my graduation. Our specialties are branding, editorial design and typography.

What’s the coolest startup you’ve ever heard of?

My all-time favorite is AirBnb. Since I like travel for my life, I always book private accommodations through the platform. Although it is currently very controversial, I love the concept behind it. It’s just a different feeling to staying in a hotel.

What makes a successful founder?

That he stands with his heart and soul behind his idea and lives his dream and never loses sight of his visions and never gives up. No matter how hard the goal may be to reach it.

Julia’s motto? “Everything happens for a reason”.

Head of PR – Isabella Zick

Why are you with the club?

By chance I came to the club in 2017 and immediately felt at home in the scene! The enthusiasm of the founders and the creativity still inspire me – so much that I would like to start a startup myself. Besides, the team behind the Idea-engine and the new board are just incredibly funny and motivating – true heart-people!

What is your professional background?

I’m studying Journalism and PR in the Bachelor’s, but I already work as a PR Manager for three Graz startups under the umbrella name ITELL.SOLUTIONS.

What’s the coolest startup you’ve ever heard of?

Right now I’m a big fan of mountaineers because as a passionate mountaineer I can associate with their products and Marry, the drink startup of two of my colleagues.

What makes a successful founder?

Creativity, passion for the product and the courage to continue despite setbacks. A successful founder would also be nothing without his team, because only together and with input from outside you can make an idea big.

Isabella’s motto? “You create your own opportunities”.

Head of Finance and Cooperations – Markus Liebeg

Why are you with the club?

I love the energy in the startup scene, the positive people and those who work with enthusiasm to improve the world. Exactly such people work with passion in the IdeaPulse, whether in the new board or in every team.

What is your professional background?

I have studied Business Informatics and have since gained over 10 years experience as an IT Entrepreneur. Now I am Chief Digital Officer at Hofer Leitinger Steuerberatung and, more recently, Managing Director of Hofer Leitinger Corporate Development. In addition – and this is even more important to me – I am recently a happy father of a daughter!

What’s the coolest startup you’ve ever heard of?

After Tesla, it’s Lilium, the electric-powered plane, because I find mobility just awesome and it could solve one of the main problems of the future.

What makes a successful founder?

The indescribably strong vision of the idea and the bite of working and holding on to it.

Markus’ life motto? “The only way to do great work is to love what you do”.

Head of Operations – Nina Zettl

Why are you with the club?

To eliminate my personally defined weaknesses and to let it become my greatest strengths. In addition, through the huge network of the association, a steady development due to new contacts and impressions is possible.

What is your professional background?

I’m studying sociology at the Karl-Franzens-University Graz and will soon be enrolling for entrepreneurship too – the first effects of the startup spirit are already noticeable!

What’s the coolest startup you’ve ever heard of?

I am generally fascinated by startups in the field of environmental protection (zero waste) and mental health. But I also find technical innovations impressive and what people create with their creativity and ingenuity. Incidentally, if I started a startup, it would be a running wine tavern – the dream of every food lover!

What makes a successful founder?

You have to allow yourself to dream, but still so realistic in its implementation that failure is also allowed. Because only those who fail occasionally and sometimes question their actions, will continue to improve and thus come to its best possible output.

Nina’s motto? “I can because I want what I have to”. -Immanuel Kant

Head of HR – Katharina Wagner

Why are you with the club?

To network with cool people, in-house and externally, and get a better look into the local startup scene. I also want to be part of a cool idea or found a co-founder for one of my ideas – this network is ideal for that.

What is your professional background?

I am a civil engineer and have worked for the last two years in the executive construction management. Last year I completed training as a certified mental trainer, burnout prevention trainer and child mental trainer at the Gesu Institute. Now I’m doing the Master Mental Trainer there.

What’s the coolest startup you’ve ever heard of?

I find startups that make a meaningful contribution to our society (human / animal / environment) extremely cool. Local would be Instahelp or the gram – the coolest will hopefully mine!